Effects of lithium ion on regeneration of hydra in a chemically defined environment

✍ Scribed by Ham, Richard G. ;Fitzgerald, David C. ;Eakin, Robert E.

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1956
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 615 KB
• Volume: 133
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0022-104X
• DOI: 10.1002/jez.1401330309

✦ Synopsis

A satisfactory model system for experimental studies of developnimt and differentiation must possess certain characteristics, including ease of maintenance, ready availability of adequate quantities of material, occurrcncc of a rapid and easily observed developmental change, and a minimum of other concurrent changes whicli might make more ciiflicult thc interpretation of experimental results. Uost of these requirements a r e very well satisfied by the process of regeneration in liydra. These animals may be easily maintained in the laboratory, and multiply rapidly mlien fed Artemia larvae hatched from commercially available dried eggs (Tlooniis, '54). If the tentacles and hypostome are cut away, the progress of regeneration can he conveniently followed by observing the formation of new tentacles. Quantitative data can be obtained readily in a simple overnight test without coniplication due to net growth of the organism or other siniultaneous development a1 elianges.

Details of the test system used and some effects of lithium salts on regeneration are reporbed here ; results of studies with a variety of metabolically active substances will be presented in subsequent papers.

National Science Foundation Prcdoctoral Fellow.

8. 59

* Disodium salt of ethylonediaminetetraacetic acid.